I feel like I belong but I still look around and pinch myself now and again

Michelle Keegan

Even though she’s scooped the coveted Sexiest Female gong at the British Soap Awards for the past four years, Michelle hasn’t let it go to her head.

The 25-year-old Coronation Street star says: “It makes me laugh that people think I’m sexy because I’m not at all.

“It’s always flattering that people go out of their way to vote for you. They’ve got their own lives but they still think: ‘Oh, I’ll vote for Michelle.’ I get so chuffed with that.”

The Corrie beauty is single after splitting from The Wanted’s Max George in the summer, but there’s one soap hunk she’s got her eye on, in a purely professional sense.

Michelle would love to team up with Scott Maslen, who plays EastEnders’ Jack Branning.

And it would definitely be a sizzling combination. Scott, 41, has won Sexiest Male at the Soap Awards for the past four years.

Michelle laughs: “I love Scott. I wouldn’t mind if writers put us together in the same soap.”

The brunette split with Max, 24, as he was spending most of his time trying to crack America with The Wanted.

But he was also spotted kissing a pretty blonde on a night out.

Despite her heartbreak, Michelle remains upbeat. “Everyone has to deal with break-ups,” she says.

“It was just that it was in the public eye and everyone had their own opinion on it.

“Obviously it was a sad time as we were together for 19 months.

“The worst part for me was having the whole thing played out so publicly. In the end, I had to simply ignore the gossip and throw myself in my work.

“I was really busy, with some great storylines, and my friends were amazing.

“But eventually you just have to let things go and get on with life. I’m in a much better place now.”

Professionally, Michelle is also flying high, at the centre of a dramatic surrogacy storyline which has seen her character Tina McIntyre agree to carry a baby for pals Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston, 37) and Gary Windass (Mikey North, 26). And she admits wearing a fake pregnancy bump has made her broodier than ever.

“I’ve been waiting for that bump for years – I love it,” says Michelle. “I can actually feel myself walking around like